FIRA Technical Services Suzie Radcliffe-Hart Technical Manager
Primary roles Association Research and information Government lobbying Development of technical standards Product and process improvement Company audits Gap analysis Risk assessment Commercial clients Technical and business consultancy
Industry statistics Increase in furniture manufacturing by 0.25% from 2013 2016 equating to 1.6% of UK s total manufacturing turnover Continued growth in furniture exports from 0.83 billion in 2013 to 1.13 billion in 2016 and is predicted to reach 1.23 billion in 2017
Training survey
Apprenticeships - manufacturers 61% would consider taking on an apprentice
Circular economy
REACH Companies manufacturing or importing articles containing SUBSTANCES OF VERY HIGH CONCERN in a concentration above 0,1% weight of the article, have legal obligations. They are required to inform recipients of the articles about the presence of the substance and therefore how to use it safely. They also need to inform consumers requesting this information.
Working with government
Business process improvement National Bed Federation (NBF) Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association (LOFA) Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP) FIRA Club Green New FIRA Compliance Scheme for fire performance of furniture Manufacturer s Guild Mark (MGM) FIRA Gold Award Pre-certification audits
Technical and business consultancy Regular training courses at Stevenage Bespoke training Regulatory advice Machinery Directive Flammability Product Safety (GPSD) EUTR Due diligence advice for retailers Lean manufacturing and process improvement Product development and fault analysis Risk assessments Product and development testing specifications
Flammability Domestic Furniture - UK Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations Contract Furniture more complex and dependant on fire risk assessment Pending amendments to regulations New FIRA Compliance Scheme for Fire Performance of Upholstered Furniture
Background The Regulations The Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, determine how materials used in the construction of upholstered furniture must be tested. The Regulations themselves do not determine the due diligence systems that should be used to effectively control materials throughout the manufacturing process to ensure ongoing compliance. Although a number of guidance documents are available, there is still widespread misunderstanding about the application of and means of compliance with the Regulations.
The Catalyst In January 2014 the BBC consumer affairs programme, Fake Britain featured a special investigation episode entitled Furniture Inferno Based on testing carried out by Leicestershire Trading Standards, 8 out of 10 sofas tested failed either part or all fire safety tests required under the Regulations. Overall the investigation identified a wide range of products from several leading furniture and bed retailers that failed to meet the Regulations, describing them as potentially lethal and sending shockwaves through the industry.
Response This investigation highlighted significant variance in due diligence systems and the approach taken by retailers, manufacturers and importers of upholstered furniture products. This inconsistency leaves the industry open to further high profile exposés, Trading Standards investigations and prosecutions. The Furniture Industry Research Association s response was to introduce a Compliance Scheme aimed at providing a consistent and clear approach to flammability due diligence specifically for upholstered furniture, throughout the supply chain.
Who is the Compliance Scheme for? As the Regulations apply to all those in the business supply chain from supply of raw materials through to supply of the finished article, the Compliance Scheme will mirror this. Manufacturers finished product or parts of a finished product including any upholstery, cushion or sewing package Upholsterers soft furnishings or parts thereof, including re-upholstery services or those who re-furbish upholstered furniture Suppliers raw materials used to manufacture upholstered furniture including textiles, foam, fibre etc. Retailers sell or or supply of a finished product
What will the Scheme offer? Clear advice to the industry on how compliance to the UK Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations can be achieved. A single consistent and verifiable approach to due diligence that is recognised under a Primary Authority Partnership agreement Identification of critical control points that, when supported by good process control and management through clearly defined procedures, enables demonstration of ongoing compliance with the Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended). Independent auditing and assessment of the processes and procedures that manufacturers, upholsterers and similar suppliers of domestic upholstered furniture or components, have in place.
Co-ordinated Primary Authority The Association has entered into a co-ordinated Primary Authority agreement with Hertfordshire Trading Standards Service Co-ordinated Primary Authority means that a particular group of companies can, as part of a regulated group, benefit from tailored advice from a single nominated Primary Authority The Compliance Scheme has been awarded Assured Advice Status by the Association s Primary Authority, Hertfordshire Trading Standards Service. This means that the Scheme will be accepted as the basis of demonstrating the level of due diligence required to comply with the intent of the UK Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations, by Trading Standards and enforcement authorities throughout the United Kingdom* preventing inconsistent interpretation and application of the Regulations.
How does the Scheme work? A manufacturer, upholsterer or similar organisation can gain certification under the scheme following successful completion of an independent annual audit carried out by FIRA International Ltd. This audit will focus on the systems that are in place to effectively control key elements such as: Clearly defined process and accountabilities Raw materials inspection, control and storage Traceability of materials and relevant certification Batch referencing Frequency of testing Labelling Product technical file content and management Product crisis and recall procedures
Benefits of the Scheme Provision of tailored and consistent advice in relation to the UK Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended). Eligible Certified Companies who have met the requirements of the Scheme will be able to use this as evidence of due diligence. Assured Advice provided in accordance with the Scheme may be relied upon by eligible Certified Companies and will be respected by local enforcement bodies and regulators nationwide* preventing inconsistent interpretation and application of the Regulations Credibility for companies who have achieved certification under an approved Scheme and visibility of their commitment to compliance. Compliance with this Scheme could aid retailers or specifiers in factory selection based on a manufacturers ability to meet the Regulations.
Any questions?